Shumate was named National Coach of the Year in 1977when UTC claimed the DII National Title.

Courtesy: GoMocs.com

Ron Shumate Bio

Courtesy: GoMocs.com

Release: 05/03/2013

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Ron ShumateHead Men’s Basketball Coach1972-79

Updated May 2013

RECORDRon Shumate was not only the 12th Chattanooga men’s basketball coach, he also ushered in the DI era. His tenure spanned seven seasons and marked the Mocs first move into national prominence.

Shumate’s squads reached unprecedented heights during the final seasons of DII competition. Those five seasons saw him win 19 or more games and stand atop the level. UTC won the 1977 DII National Championship in its last campaign before the DI era.

Overall, Shumate was 139-61 over those seven years. His 139 wins rank third all-time at Chattanooga and his .695 winning percentage is second only to Murray Arnold.

His teams competed in the NCAA DII Tournament four times winning it once and finishing as runner-up in 1976. They first emerged as No. 1 in the country in 1974 sitting atop the rankings mid-season. He was National Coach of the Year in 1977.

The student-athletes he drew to the program are among the hallowed names in school history. Wayne Golden, William Gordon, Walter “Moose” McGary, Gary Stitch and Herbert “Book” McCray are just a few that made an impact on the court and in the Chattanooga community. McGary, Gordon and Golden were all NBA Draft selections with McGary getting tabbed twice and once in the ABA.

NOTABLE PLAYERS (Chronological Order)Walter “Moose” McGary (1972-74): NCAA DII All-American who was a two-time NBA Draft selection. McGary was picked in 1973 in eighth round by the Milwaukee Bucks and again in 1974 by the New Orleans Jazz. He tallied 1,449 points and 937 rebounds in his 79-game career. That averages out to 18.3 points and 11.9 boards per contest.

Kevin Gray (1973-76): Played both guard and forward at UTC during his playing career before shifting into a successful stint as an assistant coach for Shumate and Arnold. He scored 1,385 points in his career shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 80.6 percent from the free throw line.

Wayne Golden (1974-77): The most prolific scorer in UTC history. Golden posted 2,384 points (20.4 per game) and 768 rebounds (6.6) in 117 contests. He shot 49.8 percent (972-1953) from the floor and 81.0 percent (440-543) at the charity stripe.

William Gordon (1974-77): Arguably the best point guard in school history. He scored 2,034 points in his illustrious career with 313 assists in a three-year period (no assist records in 1975-76. Gordon tickled the twine at 47.5 percent (903-1900) of his shots and 82.2 percent (336-409) at the line over 113 games.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS- The 1973 recruiting class that included Golden, Gordon, McCray and Stitch – all from Louisville, Ky. – amassed a 90-28 record (.763).

- Shumate was 445-232 in 23 collegiate seasons. He amassed a record of 306-171 in 16 years at SE Missouri (1981-97). He had nine 20-win seasons, eight NCAA DII Tourney appearances finishing as runner-up twice.

- Led both Chattanooga and SEMO in transition from DII to DI in his stints at both schools.

PERSONALRon and his wife Peggy returned to the Chattanooga area after he completed his collegiate coaching career. He led the program at Soddy Daisy High School before retiring in 2007 in the Scenic City.

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